Castillo San Cristóbal

E9689

Castillo San Cristóbal is a massive 18th-century Spanish fortress in San Juan, Puerto Rico, built to protect the city from land-based attacks and now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


Statements (49)
Predicate Object
instanceOf fortress
historic site
military fortification
tourist attraction
architecturalStyle Spanish colonial military architecture
area approximately 27 acres
builtBy Spanish Empire
category Forts in Puerto Rico
National Historic Sites in Puerto Rico
Spanish colonial fortifications in the Caribbean
completedIn 1783
constructionStart 1634
continent North America
country United States
function coastal defense
land defense
garrisonedBy Spanish Army
hasPart bastions
garitas
moats
plaza de armas
ramparts
sentry boxes
tunnels
underground galleries
heritageCriteria UNESCO cultural criteria (vi)
heritageDesignation UNESCO World Heritage Site
laterGarrisonedBy United States Army
locatedIn Old San Juan
Puerto Rico
San Juan
locatedOn Island of Puerto Rico
majorConstructionPeriod 18th century
managedBy U.S. National Park Service
material masonry
stone
near Castillo San Felipe del Morro
notableFor being one of the largest Spanish fortifications in the New World
openToPublic yes
overlooks Atlantic Ocean
partOf San Juan National Historic Site
defensive system of San Juan
purpose to protect San Juan from land-based attacks
region Caribbean
significance key element of the fortifications of Old San Juan
usedInConflict Spanish–American War
visitorActivities guided tours
historical interpretation exhibits
worldHeritageSiteSince 1983


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